Thought of the Day – Swami Vivekananda

In this clip from a local BBC radio station, Sanjaya Spettigue gives a short ‘Thought for the Day’ on Swami Vivekananda. In particular, he remembers Vivekananda’s heartfelt opening remarks on the oneness of religious traditions to the World Parliament of Religion in 1893.

Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and become a great spiritual Teacher in his own right. Both Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda espoused the harmony and unity of all religions.

Vivekananda’s address at the Parliament of Religions was perhaps the first time that the West heard the lofty message of the Hindu religion and mystic yoga practice.

Vivekananda’s open heart embraced everyone in the audience, and in turn the audience, after hearing his opening words: “Sisters and brothers of America”, gave him a standing ovation – and applause for several minutes.

Sri Chinmoy frequently expressed admiration for Swami Vivekananda. Here is a talk by Sri Chinmoy on Vivekananda and America:

“He who broke the barrier between East and West and placed the two on common ground is still a living force in both. His function was to bring in oneness where there was none before, by carrying the best of each to the other. The East had become lost by moving away from materialism; the West, by keeping clear of spirituality. A happy marriage of the two, he deeply felt, was the supreme need of the world. Life without spirituality was as poor as life without material power. Hence he dynamised the East with the force of the West, and inspired the West with the ancient wisdom of the East….”